- Extended trading hours, public holidays, and penalty rates kick in from today.
- Retail businesses urged to prepare and protect staff from work-related violence and aggression risks.
- Everyone encouraged to appreciate retail workers this festive season.
The holiday season is fast approaching and with it, extended trading hours across the state allowing Queenslanders to avoid the Christmas rush.
At this time of year, it is important to highlight the importance of being kind and considerate to fellow shoppers and retail workers, including the multitude of Christmas casuals, and to appreciate their efforts during the retail sector busiest time of year.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said there is often an increase in violent, threatening, and abusive behaviour towards our retail workers – for which there is simply no excuse.
"I ask all Queenslanders to be patient, understanding, respectful, and courteous to our retail workers," Mr Bleijie said.
"We want everyone to have a joyous and profitable season and one of the best ways to achieve this is by making yourself familiar with Christmas trading hours.
"Workers in the retail and hospitality industries are working hard across the state to ensure we all have a great holiday season, and I thank all Queenslanders who proudly take a stand against behaviours that don't reflect the values of our incredible Sunshine State."
With a central message of 'Kindness Never Goes Out of Style' a coalition comprised of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), National Retail Association (NRA), Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL), Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) launched their 'Be Kind in Retail' campaign on digital and print media across the nation's major shopping centres last month.
Angus Nardi, Chief Executive of the SCCA welcomed the endorsement of the Queensland Government's Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie.
"It's really pleasing to support the Be Kind in Retail campaign with our partners, across more than 300 shopping centres, and 3,500 digital screens nationally with an estimated commercial advertising value of $7 million," Mr Nardi said.
"Our campaign has a simple message for the community: Be kind and show respect in our retail environments this Christmas."
As customers flock to stores in the lead up to Christmas, businesses should also take action to protect their staff from work-related violence and aggression. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has a free guide outlining how to manage the risk of customer aggression, ways to respond, and how to report serious incidents in the retail industry.
All businesses trading during this period can also be familiar with the advice on the Business Queensland website about public holidays and, trading hours.
The trading hours of retail shops in Queensland are regulated by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act).
Many small businesses are exempt from restrictions under the Act.
Extended trading hours for large retailers like supermarkets, department stores and hardware shops will commence 18 December and be in effect through until 23 December – this will see stores across the state including regional areas able to operate until midnight. Trading is also permitted in these stores throughout Queensland on public holidays except Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December.
Large retailers within the Westfield shopping complexes at Chermside and Garden City may trade continuously from 8am on 23 December 2024 to 6pm on 24 December 2024.
Christmas Eve, 24 December, falls on a Tuesday and is a part day public holiday between 6pm and midnight. This gives most retail workers respite after the busy period in the lead up to Christmas and recognises the importance of Christmas Eve for workers to share with family and loved ones. Those who do work are entitled to penalty rates after 6pm in accordance with their industrial award or agreement.
The public holidays for the 2024/2025 Christmas/New Year period in Queensland are:
- Tuesday 24 December 2024 - from 6pm to midnight
- Wednesday 25 December 2024 - Christmas Day
- Thursday 26 December 2024 - Boxing Day
- Wednesday 1 January 2025 - New Year's Day.
More details of shop classifications and trading hours are available on the Business Queensland website .
